Written by Tom Hooker

If you love wine as much as we do, then you’re probably familiar with the fantastic reputation (and taste!) of French wine. Put in a few simple words, the combination of soils, types of grapes, and vinification methods they follow in the French Republic may very well result in the best wines on Earth. But like everything else, there are levels to this; so to try the best wine in France, you’ll have to plan your trip accordingly, spend some time in the right areas, and even organize a few tastings with the top makers in the country. Not sure where to start? Well, fret not! We’ve put together a list of four regions in France where you’ll be able to try some world-class wines at every single stop. And don’t worry, we won’t limit ourselves to cities either—we’re taking a deep dive and exploring the towns and villages best known for their wine. Let’s get to it!

Delightful Mediterranean cuisine, a grand city that also feels inexplicably like a quaint beach town, and a fun dose of delicious wine—these are the specialties of Nice, France. Following up Bordeaux and Lyon in a top French wine cities list is no joke, but for this tall task we’ve chosen what many would call a wildcard. Let us tell you why Nice should be the next stop in your wine tour through France. 

Nice and the French Riviera

The Roman Empire was no joke. These guys left a mark pretty much everywhere in Western Europe, so a lot of modern cities were initially Roman settlements. This is not the case for Nice. As a matter of fact, Nice is older than France itself. The city was initially founded by Greek sailors almost 2,000 years ago, way before France had official boundaries; but it’s come a long way since its commercial roots. Today, Nice is a splendid beachfront city and welcomes millions of international visitors each year. After all, it has a beautiful coastline and it’s nestled along the stunning French Riviera, a glamorous area that has served as a getaway for European aristocrats since the 18th century. And the best part is that it’s a hidden gem for avid wine aficionados. 

The Wine in Nice: A Hidden Treasure

The area surrounding Nice has a winemaking tradition that started 500 years before the city was actually founded by the Greeks. The region was known as Provence in ancient times, so the wine that comes from this part of France has the same name. Nice is the original home to a variety of grapes used in the production of wine. Because of the way wine genetics work, this gives wine from this region a unique aroma and flavors not found in other regions that use the same grape varieties. Additionally, the area is known for having a lot of small-scale, family-owned vineyards. This has benefited the area’s wine tradition in two ways: the winemaking processes used have remained artisanal, and these farms have focused largely on sustainability, which produces better overall wine. It’s worth noting that Nice is known for its sparkling Rosé, so you’re in luck if you love a good flute of bubbles. The other local specialty is vin rouge, and of course here you can always find aromatic white wines that are traditional in the Mediterranean. Here are some of the wines you should look forward to while visiting Nice. 

• First on our list, Bellet Rosé is a traditional wine from this region that has a crisp, light, and refreshing aroma with hints of strawberry and peach. The perfect companion for a sunny afternoon at the beach!
• Bellet Rouge is a renowned wine that’s made from Braquet, Folle Noire, and Grenache, three of the grape varieties originally found in the Provence area. 
• Côtes de Provence Rosé wines are found all along the French Riviera, so they tend to have a pale tone as well as dominant berries and citrus aromas. Nice is close to several areas known for this rosé so it’s one of the best places to use as a base while you visit vineyards known for this type of sparkling wine. 
• The final sparkling you must try while in Nice is Bandol Rosé, a variety that comes from the area just west of the city. Made with mainly Mourvèdre grapes, this wine has a much deeper color than other rosés and soft hints of red currant and herbs. 
• A traditional white wine from the Mediterranean, Bellet Blanc is enjoyable to almost every palette because of their freshness and slight acidity that produces a moreish sensation. Don’t worry, you won’t be the only one that keeps going back for more. 

Iconic Vineyards & Wine Makers

Many regions around Nice have a superb reputation for their viticulture and winemaking. As luck has it, many vineyards and chateaux are located on the outskirts of Nice, so you don’t have to go very far to taste the best wines in the French Riviera. Let’s take a look at iconic Nice vineyards and winemakers located less than an hour away from the city center. 

• Located on the hills that overlook Nice’s coastline, Château de Crémat is a great place to get acquainted with Provence wine. This particular winemaker focuses heavily on sustainability while producing regional classics like rosés and refreshing white wines.  
• Another maker that focuses heavily on sustainability, Domaine de Toasc actually takes it a bit further because it has implemented a biodynamic viticulture practice. This results in wines of the utmost purity and other-worldly flavor you won’t find anywhere else. 
• An estate known for producing acclaimed rosés from Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah grapes, the Château de Berne has also incorporated a luxury hotel and spa. If you’re looking for the ultimate Mediterranean chateau vineyard experience during your wine trip, this is a superb chance to make it happen.
• You can find Domaine de la Source wineries throughout France with each one specializing in its region’s vino. The Domaine de la Source located a few miles north of Nice is a great example because it mainly produces classic Provencal whites and rosés. During your visit you can wander its organic-certified vineyards and also try some of the other local specialties like olive oil and classic European charcuterie.    
• The Bellet region contributes a lot to Nice’s wine culture, so it’s only fair that you plan to stop at Château de Bellet. Last but certainly not least, the property’s vineyards are delicately draped on the hills overlooking Nice, which provides the perfect backdrop to immerse in the property’s exceptional rosés and fragrant red wines. 

Nice Activities: One of the Liveliest Places in France!

Nice is a major tourist destination for locals and neighboring European nations, so it certainly has a little something for everyone to enjoy. Before leaving town, we’d suggest the following: 

• Lead your own walking tour starting at Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice, passing by the Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, then down the Promenade des Anglais, strolling through the Promenade du Paillon and finally reward yourself with some traditional Niçoise cuisine in Vieux Nice, the Old Town neighborhood.
• If you find yourself on the beach promenade, you can make your way to the east end and go up the Colline du Château Park, which houses a built waterfall and grants you some of the most dramatic pictures of your whole trip.
• Parc du Mont Boron is a large green space perched atop a hill between Nice and the beautiful town of Villefranche-sur-Mer. The highest point in the park gives you a sweeping view from the Esterel peaks in the west to the Cap Ferrat coast and beyond on the west. Plus, the hike to the top is full of rare vegetation that has flourished due to the park’s “no pesticide” policy. 
• The Village of Èze is one of the best-kept secrets of the French Riviera, so if you’re visiting Nice make some time to visit this small town either by train or car. On the way there, you can stop off at Little Africa Beach or Plage Petite Afrique, which is in the running for the coastline’s best beach. 
• Day trip to Monaco and Cannes, anyone? Whether it’s during film festival season, springtime, the middle of summer, or even in the early autumn months, Cannes and Monaco have to be on your itinerary. Both are located a short drive or train ride from Nice (albeit in opposite directions). Both have different vibes, so you may have to split this activity into two days: a day of sightseeing and relaxing in Cannes and another one filled with activities and nightlife in Monaco. 

How to Plan a Great Trip to Nice

Nice is amazing because it’s one of France’s largest cities, yet it has managed to maintain that small town vibe that translates into great food, welcoming folks, and lots of tasty wine. You can fly directly into Nice and the city’s tram service makes it easy to get into the center. You should consider renting a car if you want to take day trips to Cannes, Monaco, and beyond. Now, to find the best wine spots and vineyards, you may need a little help from more qualified individuals. Say, from local guides who absolutely love the vino! ALLMYNE is the key to an awesome wine tour because you can plan your trip exactly how you want it, contact local guides, and create an itinerary with their help. Plus, you can always choose when to explore on your own accord and make sure you have a trusty native guide with you the rest of the time. The best part? You won’t have to worry about picking up souvenirs, you can keep your best pictures and doodles in the ALLMYNE app and get them printed in a custom high-quality album later on. 

In Nice, Wine Flies When You’re Having Fun

Many say that the French Riviera is the most luxurious and beautiful place in France. So yes, maybe it’s a little unfair to also have one of the country’s most intriguing wine cultures drawing attention to the biggest city in this region. Nevertheless, your stop by Nice should not be up for debate. Instead, it should be a matter of how you want to do it. And, with ALLMYNE, all of France can be yours just the way you want it to be.